SC verdict on Devinder Bhullar is 'death of democracy', says SGPC

Amritsar: Reacting sharply to the Supreme Court's verdict on Khalistani terrorist Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday said the judgement was "the death of democracy". "There are two kinds of laws in India. One kind of law is for the Sikh minorities and the other is for the rest of the country," SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said.

He added the bureaucratic setup of the country was "biased" against Sikhs. "The Government and the courts have done nothing so far to punish the guilty who were responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as the accused are still roaming free," said Makkar.

"Government should do the needful to extend mercy to Bhullar keeping in view the sentiments of Sikh community, and the apex court should also reconsider its decision on compassionate ground," the SGPC president said. Meanwhile, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa also criticised the decision.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar added the bureaucratic setup of the country was "biased" against Sikhs.

Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh described the decision as "shocking and disturbing" for the Sikh community. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Bhullar's plea, in which the Khalistan terrorist had sought commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment on ground of delay in deciding his mercy plea.